Fender Rhodes Keyboard

The 73-key version weighs approximately 130 pounds (59 kg). Its touch and action are designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano. When a key is pressed, a hammer strikes a thin metal rod known as a tine, which is attached to a larger tone bar. This assembly functions like a tuning fork, with the tone bar amplifying and extending the tine's vibrations. A pickup placed opposite the tine captures these vibrations, converting them into an electrical signal in a way similar to an electric guitar. While the tines themselves do not require an external power source, the Rhodes can still produce sound without being plugged into an amplifier—though, like an unplugged electric guitar, the sound will be quieter and less defined.

The Suitcase model Rhodes incorporates a built-in amplifier and a tremolo feature, which splits the output signal across two speakers. This effect, often mistakenly labeled "vibrato" (a term that refers to pitch variation), is used to align with the terminology found on Fender amplifiers.

Although the Rhodes operates on a mechanical system similar to a traditional piano, its sound is distinctly different. The vibrating tines create a softer, mellower timbre, with the tone varying depending on the distance between the tine and the pickup. Bringing the two closer together produces a characteristic "bell" sound. Comparisons are often made between the Rhodes and the Wurlitzer electric piano, which uses a similar mechanism but strikes metal reeds instead of tines. The Rhodes is known for its superior sustain, while the Wurlitzer is recognized for its harmonic richness, particularly when played forcefully, giving it a sharper "bite." According to Benjamin Love of Retro Rentals, an equalization spectrum analysis of the Rhodes reveals a gap in frequencies typically occupied by lead vocals, allowing it to complement vocal performances without overwhelming them.

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